1. Bear Training 2010 Tomahawk, Stearns, Rum River, Phillippo, Many Point, Kiwanis, Eagle Landing, Fred C. Anderson

2. Fun Fact A 2005 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources report estimated that there were about 13,000 black bears in the northern third of Wisconsin Don’t worry there are NO Grizzly Bears

3. Keep in Mind Although its called a Black Bear the fur may not be black It can be black, brown, cinnamon, gray and maybe somewhat cream- colored

4. Food Our campsite has a special line of roots in which under no circumstances may food be crossed Food or wrappers may not enter any tent or go beyond the line Cooking: cooking area should be as far away as possible Clean Up: dishes should be immediately taken care of. Leftovers should be properly disposed of not down the latrine Spills must be cleaned up or taken care of even if its on the ground Snacks Tables should be washed Troop Trailer

5. Garbage Is taken care of every night by a group of scouts Invites “mini bears” to camp sites If any leakage appears that must also be cleaned up that may include some soil as well Check your pockets before you pack them for camp to see if you have any old wrappers

6. Personal Hygiene Take a shower!  But at suggested times which would be mornings or mid-afternoon  Products to take showers are “smellables” If food is spilled on clothes it should not return to your tent it will be in the bear box

7. “Smellables” Anything that smells Toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, soap, shampoos, food, cloths Must be stored in bear box never in your tent

8. Fishing Fish should not be cleaned at campsite. This is a natural food item for them.

9. Fact In 50 years of camping at council camps there has been only one human injury caused by bears

10. IF a Bear enters your Camp Site? Don’t endanger yourself or others for the protection of personal property or equipment Gather all those at the campsite in camp at the opposite side of where the bear is Stay together Maintain a distance of at least 40 feet from the bear

11. There’s a bear in our Campsite? Scouters, adults or other older scouts will be posted in pairs at the path entrances to your campsite so as to warn whose who maybe entering or passing Noise NEVER throw anything at the bear or charge the bear

12. Be Safe be Informed Do not use any kind of bear “repellant” such as pepper spray If effort to get the bear to leave doesn’t work, everyone should leave the campsite for 30 minutes.  Those at the entrances remain there Report the bears entrance to your campsite to a staff member immediately

13. It will be Back If the bear is successful in finding food at your campsite, upon the units return clean up your campsite and correct the mistakes that first led to the arrival of the bear If the bear found food at your campsite, expect a return visit at the same time the following day. Its now part of that bears daily routine

14. A Bear in my Tent, What do I do? Avoid your natural instinct to jump and run Remain calm Begin speaking in a loud but calm voice to let the bear know that you are there Don’t throw anything at it or attempt to hit it In a calm voice call for your adult leaders with your name and that there is a bear in or around your tent

15. Lions (No) and Tigers (No) and Bears (Yes) Oh My! Tell your tent partner that there is a bear in or around your tent Stay in your sleeping bag and remain still In the unlikely event that the bear begins to attack you, all bets are off fight back using any means possible

16. Hiking with a Bear? Buddy system Make noise while hiking If you come across a bear remain calm and avoid any sudden movement Give the Bear plenty of space If you spot a bear but it doesn’t spot you detour quickly and quietly away from that area

17. Danger Zone If you spot a bear and it is aware of you, but you don’t seem to be in its danger zone try to get its attention while you are still a good distance away  Wave your arms and talk in a normal voice The bear may stand on its hind legs to investigate you, but remember a bear on its hind legs is just a curious bear and not a threatening one

18. Don’t Run Avoid fleeing from the bear this might trigger the bear’s natural predatory instinct and it may chase you  Bears can run up to 30 to 40 MPH Don’t throw anything at the bear Don’t bother the cub bears because the mother maybe very protective

19. Bear Attacks Since 1900 there has only been 23 deaths caused by Black Bears in ALL of North America Between 1960 and 1980 there were more than 500 human injuries cause by Black bears  90% of those injuries inflicted were minor 90% of the death and major injuries inflicted were cause by predatory situations  (where the bear was actually attacking to kill and eat a person)

20. Attacks During the period of 1960-1980 it has been calculated that 77 million recreational days have been spent by humans in Black Bear populated areas  During this period only 3 Black Bear inflicted injuries were reported

21. Wide Range of Attacks “Bluff Charge” the bear may charge at the person but may break off at the last minute A black bear may make popping noises and paw the ground before charging  When charged do not turn to flee or climb a tree, STAND YOUR GROUND If being attacked Do NOT play dead, fight back with ANY weapon you may have

22. The Bears that may Attack You It is mainly wild black bears found in remote wilderness areas, which have had no previous encounters with humans Bear might act as a predator toward a human in which it continues to slowly approach you in daylight, perhaps circling the person and then rushing the person  If this happens you must be ready to defend yourself

23. Consequences Baiting: 1 st time all involved leave camp with no refund Litter in Campsite or improper disposal of food or smell-ables: 1 st time troop will be put on alert, clean campsite and perform a service project. 2 nd time Troop is asked to leave with no refund and a lose of that campsite for the following year

24. Consequences Continued Improper food or smellables storage: 1 st those involved correct their mistake and perform a service project 2 nd those involved will be asked to leave camp with no refund Food in Tent: 1 st those involved must correct their mistake and perform a service project 2 nd asked to leave camp with no refund

25. Continued Harassment of bear(s) or any other violation: 1 st Discipline at the discretion of Camp Director 2 nd Discipline will be at the discretion of Reservation Director

26. Bear poop in Blackfoot Campsite at Tomahawk. This happened in 2008!

27. Bear Training is Now Completed!